:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3481215/20120419_ter_ah2_099.0.jpg)
You can go home again. Except there's a new park, new uniform, new team name, etc. But the same crummy ownership.
Outfielder Juan Pierre has signed a one year deal with the Miami Marlins, reportedly worth $1.6 million.
Pierre, 35, earned $800,000 with the Phillies in 2012, and post a .307/.351/.371 line, swiping 37 bases in 44 attempts, good for 1.9 rWAR. Nice bang for your buck, and lots of credit to Pierre for being a happy surprise and for rebuilding his market value and doubling his salary.
The deal, and the Phillies apparent disinterest in pursuing Pierre as a contingency plan, could very well signal the club's intent to go in big on the free agent/trade markets in the outfield this offseason. So far, Melky Cabrera (two year deal with the Blue Jays) and Torii Hunter (two year deal with the Tigers) are the big outfield dominoes to fall. The Phillies have been linked to pretty much everyone else on the market: Josh Hamilton, Michael Bourn, and Cody Ross, and appear to be co-favorites along with the Braves to obtain the services of Rays outfielder B.J. Upton.
Pierre was a member of the Marlins' 2003 World Championship club and, along with Luis Castillo, provided a maddening spark at the top of the Marlins' lineup, one that may or may not have driven then-Phillies manager Larry Bowa to the brink of insanity.